SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Proper preparation is the key to surviving an emergency or natural disaster. But nobody says that being prepared can’t be fun.

That’s the message of the 11^th annual California Day of Preparedness taking place in historic Old Sacramento on Saturday, Aug. 27. The theme of the event is “Surviving the Wild West.” The Day of Preparedness is staged by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and sponsored by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

The free, family-friendly event kicks off National Preparedness Month, held annually in September.

Dozens of state and local agencies, first responders and interested groups will staff booths offering plentiful preparedness tips. There will be safety, emergency-response and search-and-rescue demonstrations – on both land and water. And like any good summer outdoor event in California, you’ll find music and food, too.

“This year’s destructive wildfires, the constant threat of a major earthquake and the on-going drought in the state highlight the importance of preparedness,” said Cal OES Director Mark Ghilarducci. “Californians have become accustomed to natural disasters and extreme events, but it is critical that as individuals, families and communities we are prepared. I urge all Californians to update their emergency plans, stockpile emergency supplies and reduce hazards in their homes and businesses.”

“At PG&E, we plan, prepare and practice for emergencies and disasters. And we urge our customers to do the same thing. We are pleased to sponsor once again Cal OES’ California Day of Preparedness and to partner with many state and local agencies and first responders because being prepared and being ready to respond to quakes, wildfires and other emergencies is crucial,” said Pat Hogan, PG&E’s senior vice president of Electric Transmission & Distribution.

PG&E will have some of its emergency-response vehicles on display and will be sharing preparedness tips. Other highlights of the rootin’ tootin’ Wild West experience will include:

• Simulating a magnitude 9.5 earthquake in the Quake Cottage
• Watching the Boy Scouts of America save a “drowning victim” with a rope toss
• Learning from the Girl Scouts and the American Red Cross how to construct an emergency kit
• Using a non-chemical fire extinguisher to put out a fire
• Sidewalk CPR classes will be available through Sacramento Metro Fire Department
• Survival techniques provided by swift-water rescue and search-and-rescue teams
• Emergency vehicles, first responders, food trucks, music and much more!

This year’s California Day of Preparedness participants include: Cal OES, PG&E, Boy Scouts of America, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Department of Motor Vehicles, California Department of Water Resources, California Division of Boating and Waterways, California Geological Survey, California National Guard, Caltrans, California Operational Lifesaver, Emergency Medical Service Authority, FEMA Region IX, Girls Scouts of the United States of America, KNCI, Lowe’s, Sacramento River Cats, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District, Sacramento Community Emergency Response Team, Sacramento Fire Department, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, Sacramento Police Department, Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Army Recruiting and Yocha-Dehe Fire Department.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

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Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company